[Blake Lunsford]

Bob-In-Tn and I had a chance to go to the local carving club in Johnson City, Tennessee last night and had a great time. There was one carver in particular who was working on a bear in the round that had a real interesting tip that I wanted to pass along. He had a picture that he used for his pattern, but after he roughed out the carving he transferred that picture over to a transparency. He would then hold that transparency up to the actual carving to determine the location of facial features, sizes of body parts, the curves on the legs..... the image on the transparency would match identically to the carving. I know this would take more time, but for those of you who carve animals, birds, and fish, or if you are trying to duplicate a certain item in your carving, the transparency would be a handy tool and allow you to obtain those details that are necessary in competition.

I just thought I would pass that along!

carving!
Blake

[Claude]

Great idea, Blake. Thanks!
Claude

[Donna_T]

That is a good idea...and a great way to preserve a pattern, too. Thanks for sharing.
Donna T

[Just Carving]

If you have access to a laser printer or copy machine that uses dry toner, you can buy transparency film from an office supply store, and print a pattern from a digital image like you would print on paper. You can also scan drawings, sketches, or photos and print them. But if all else fails, you can take a fine point permamnet marker and trace off the outline and details if you wish from a photo or sketch. It woks well when transfering the pattern to wood using carbon paper, and when you want to check size and proportion of the drawing/image with the carving.

[BasketballJones]

You also can try what prisoners use when they lose mail and writing privileges, indent writing. They write over toilet paper, wood, or other soft objects.

Photo copy your pattern and trace it over the project with a pen or sharp pencil; dried ink pens are great as well. You can see the traced pattern directly under any light or scribble over the indented area with a pencil or crayon to enhance the indentation. When a pattern is traced the markings get cut away. With indentation, you can take the indentations to any depth before you cut or chip it away.

[Blake Lunsford]

Is there something we need to know about you Jones????? hahahahaha Sounds like you are pretty familiar with this technique!

Blake